Rated M for Language. Clash Chpt. 9…Enjoy!
Suppressing Emotions
"What the hell…Sakura?" He yawned while wiping his eyes.
"So you just drop me like that? I can't believe you!"
"I would appreciate it if you would drop me."
"Sasuke," Naruto started to pat his cheek. "Sakura's choking Sensei,"
"Hm?" He also yawned.
"Why would you do this to me Kakashi? Who am I going to work with now?"
"Seriously, Sakura. This hurts, and I can't breathe."
"Oh stop being such a girl. Man up!"
"Naruto, what happened?" Sasuke stretched as he sat up on the couch. Naruto linked his fingers behind his head.
"I dunno. I heard her choking a few minutes ago, next thing I knew, Sensei's up like, eight feet in the air, and Sakura's just yelling at him." Sasuke smirked.
"What do you think happened?"
"He told her something she didn't like," He suggested.
"Hn. I've never seen him beg like that." Naruto snickered. Another smirk.
"I haven't even been on one official mission yet! One!"
"Listen Sakura. If you kill me, you'll never find out. Put me down." They heard a huff. Then, Kakashi was dropped to the armchair. Sakura's hands went to her hips.
"I want answers, Hatake! Why the—" She glanced at the clock above his head. "Ugh! You are so lucky I have somewhere to be." She stomped over to her room. The next time she appeared, she was in her medic shorts and her Haruno shirt. She grabbed the scroll from the table.
"This mess better be gone when I come back! Lock the door!" She yelled as the it slammed. Kakashi rubbed his sore neck.
"What are we going to do while she's gone?" Naruto said.
"Icha Icha Movie 5." Kakashi grinned as Naruto passed him the remote.
"Hn."
She sighed as she looked at the scroll she was given. She had to walk up two flights of stairs and her pelvis was still sore. This meeting made no sense in the first place. She was perfectly fine, and no offense, her Shishou was in no place to claim otherwise.
She knocked on the door.
"Enter." Twisting the large doorknob, she walked into a brightly lit room. There was a chair in the middle of it and a desk on the far opposite. The man seated behind the desk looked up from whatever he was writing and smiled.
"Take a seat." She looked around the room as she walked to the chair. It was barely decorated. Everything was stone, and she saw very little things littering his desk.
"Informal office?" She offered.
"Ah." Lowering herself into the chair, she crossed her legs.
"I suppose you know every technicality about me."
"That's my job. Put your arms down, please."
"What is this going to do?" She snapped. He walked back around to his desk and picked up a manila folder. He opened it and moved to sit on the edge.
"Haruno Sakura. Twenty-three years old. Born into a civilian family. Ninja registration number 012601. You received top grades in the academy and graduated at age twelve. Assigned to Team Seven under Hatake Kakashi, teammates Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. You had an apt for genjutsu with your perfect chakra control and you are an Earth style user." He flipped a page as she crossed her arms.
"Upon Uchiha Sasuke's defection, you turned to the Godaime for training and you became a medical-nin. You were promoted to Chunin at age fourteen. At age eighteen you made jonin, also the time Uchiha Sasuke returned. At nineteen you sought the position of field medic. Then it lists your accomplishments, which I see there are quite a few." He finished with a chuckle.
"Again, what is this going to do?" She growled.
"At twenty you were actually romantically involved with the Uchiha—"
"That's off the record! How'd you—!"
"He cheated on you with a comrade, and you guys bumped fists a few times. She poisoned—"
"Sleeping agent!"
"Then you got sponsored for Anbu by Hatake Kakashi. You haven't had your first mission yet though. But on your last mission with Might Guy, Rock Lee, Hyuga Neji, TenTen, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Hatake Kakashi, you were sent to capture Tadashi Nao. You were a POW for three months, and was recently recaptured by Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Tenzou…Yamato…whichever."
"You were teased in your early years in the Academy for your huge forehead that you now cover with your bangs. You were in love with the Uchiha early on also. You focused on your intelligence more than ninjutsu, which led to your poor skills in battle. Often, you believed yourself to be the third wheel on your team because you were surrounded by exceptional Shinobi. You were a crier when you were younger, and was always protected by your teammates and your Sensei. You wanted to make something out of yourself and figured this resolve on a mission to Orochimaru's hideout. You're a very angry person, and result to using brute strength rather than talking things out. " Then he smiled, much to Sakura's dismay. The manila folder was snapped shut.
"Now that that's done…Hello, Sakura. My name is Hiroto." Sakura's upper lip rose in a snarl. After telling her all about herself, he only tells her his first name. Typical.
"This is pointless. If all you're going to do is tell me about myself, stuff that I already know, I'm gone." She got up and started across the room. Reaching for the door handle, he spoke.
"Sakura. Sit down." He growled despite his earlier peachy mood. She stalked back to her seat.
"Waste of time…" She muttered.
"You were a POW for three months. I'm sure that left you with scars."
"No. I'm fine." She bit out.
"Your arms please," Outstretching her arms as asked, she rolled her eyes.
"You have multiple holes in your arms that never healed. Stab wounds."
"Syringes."
"Filled with…"
"Sedatives. Over and over I had to be sedated because I wouldn't stay down. I wouldn't break. That's why I'm fine." She growled.
"And your face," He pulled her chin closer to him. She flinched when she felt his warm chakra seep into her face. "So many unhealed bruises under your skin." He pressed his thumb down on her cheek. She winced. "Tendons are ripped here," He touched her neck. "Here," And he made a move to her hairline, but a hand shot up and grabbed his.
"Stop." He moved away.
"Your hair. That's the trigger." She bit down into her lip…hard. She started to shake as she balled her hands into fists. "What did they do to it? Rip it out? Were you dragged by your precious hair? How did it feel Leaf bastard?" Slamming her fists down on the arms of the chair, she started to breath ragged breaths.
"My fucking hair! They played with my hair like I was a rag doll! They burned me so many times a day…Each and every time my hair would fall out; they got their medics to grow it back. Every damn time. They pulled my hair and…damn it! I couldn't do anything!" Her eyes became red with anger and her cheeks flushed. Spit flew out of her mouth with every pant as tears came out of her eyes. "I want to kill each and every one of those bastards. Ripping their limbs off won't come close to satisfying me." She growled.
"Do you sleep?" He sat down at his desk and she watched with fury as he picked up a pen and started to write in her folder. She pursed her lips in anger as her chest's rise and fall became more apparent.
"No. I don't sleep. I can't. Not anymore. I spent half the night reading over med scrolls!" He looked up at her.
"And the other half?"
"Genjutsu simulations. Torturing those Grass bastards over and over again. Write that in your damn folder." And she was out of the door.
"Turn it off! Sakura's down the street, and she's pissed." Naruto shouted over the moaning of the TV. Kakashi scrambled to find the remote while Sasuke rushed to the kitchen. Beer bottles littered her house and their take-out boxes were put haphazardly on the table and counters. Well any flat surface, really.
He started to throw out the ones they ate from and put hers in the fridge. Picking up their empty bottles and tossing them in the trash was no easy feat when they were everywhere. Then there was a knock on the door.
"Naruto, get that!" Naruto ran to the door. He heard the noise of dishes being stacked and he threw the last bottle in the trash. As the door opened, Sasuke jumped over the couch and Kakashi ran to the armchair. His book was open in a flash.
"Sakura! How was your—"
"Get out of my way." She growled as she pushed open the door. He looked up from his book. When Naruto said pissed, he thought 'Usual'. But anger was coming off her in waves. He decided it best to go back to his book and leave her alone until she cooled off.
"Kakashi!" Damn. So much for that. He snapped his book shut and placed it on the coffee table. Maybe it was something minor, like a misplaced bed sheet or a moved scroll—
"Get your lazy ass up. You're not off the hook." Damn. So much for that. Sighing as he got up, he walked timorously to her room. He saw she was facing a wall with her hands on her hips.
"What's the matter…?"
"Sit." She growled while pointing a finger to the bed. He rubbed his forehead as he did what she, not asked, but stated. Scratch that. Commanded.
"Sakura, maybe we should do this another time…" She turned around with red eyes and her lips fashioned in a straight line.
"Did you quit on me? I mean, I know I was captive for a few months, but whatever training I missed I promise, I'll make it up."
"No Sakura. Look," He unbuttoned a pocket on his flak jacket and pulled out a scroll. He held it out for her to take.
"What's that?" Her cautious fingers reached forward to take the scroll. When opened, he watched her eyes scan through it. With each line her eyes either got wider or narrowed.
"The Elders took me off the Captain Position indefinitely." She rolled up the paper and put it in his waiting hand. Back in the pocket, snapped shut.
"Does there have to be a Captain on our man to man?"
"Well, yeah. There always has to be someone to take orders from. Without that, there would be chaos and disorganization." She let out a shaky sigh as she lowered herself onto the desk.
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Captain." He looked up to her.
"What?" Her blood red eyes searched his as they were filled with doubt.
"Captain, Sakura. Seek the Captain position and request me."
"I-I can't be a Captain! I'm an Anbu rookie, fresh off the roster." She shook her head.
"I've seen what you can do. You're ready." She closed her eyes.
"I'm not, Kakashi. I haven't even been on a real mission. I'll be eaten alive! And you? I can't lead you. It's—."
"Wrong? Sakura, you were the head of the Hospital under Tsunade. I'm sure it's no different." She gave him a pointed look. "You liked to prove your point a lot, okay. But when you do…you have to be right." Her shoulders dropped.
"Then we quit."
"Quit? You can't just quit."
"All those years you were teaching us, what happened to Anbu?"
"I was assigned a genin team, I couldn't take Anbu missions. You have to become Captain Sakura. Either way, I have to be put on another man to—" Her eyes shot open. A wide range of emotions started coursing through her body as she leaned forward. Dangerously close to him, Kakashi backed up a bit and watched as her eyes narrowed. Seeing Sakura this way was…wrong. Yes she got upset, but not like this. Not before.
"No. It's my fault I got captured. My fault. I'm not going to let you take the fall for it." She bit her lip and pointed a shaky finger at him. "I went on that last mission as Anbu. All those rules shoved into my brain…I said nothing Kakashi! Nothing!" She started to shake uncontrollably as a hand started to hit the desk repeatedly.
"Sakura…"
"Nothing. I didn't say a word. I didn't reveal anything about this stupid Village." A hand flew to her mouth as she started to choke back a laugh. Kakashi got up and reached for her wrist. She snatched it away. If he didn't know better, he would've said she's gone mad. Her face lit up in a snarl as he saw a glint her eyes. Gone mad…
"Sakura."
"The Village! I sacrificed my damned sanity for this fucking Village." She growled. "I'm tired…of the sacrifices…made for this Village." He saw her eyes start to water. "I want Anbu…because it's the last reminder I have left of everything I lost." She opened her mouth to speak, but without having words to say, it closed again. She pushed off of her desk and through the living room.
"Sakura-chan, what—" She stopped in front of the couch and raised her palm.
"Just don't, Naruto." She continued to walk the rest of the way and slammed the door behind her. Kakashi appeared from her room with a perplexed look on his face. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as everyone turned to him.
"What just…" He shook his head and walked over to the door.
"I don't know, Naruto. But I do know that we've taken underestimated how deceiving she can be." Sasuke got up from the couch and followed him.
"Where are you going?" His hand on the doorknob, he looked back over to Naruto.
"I have to find her."
"Then we're coming with you."
Speaking her mind wasn't the plan. With Kakashi, none the less. The plan, in all its actuality, was to keep up her façade. At least until her mind told her it would all be the same again. She laughed, she ate, she yelled, she slept…Supposedly. But what was inside of her…that was something entirely different.
Feeling just wasn't the same anymore. Sure she laughed, but it didn't have the same ring to it. Yes, she ate. But now, she preferred drinking. She hasn't showered since she returned because she's afraid of touching her hair. She can't sleep anymore; they took that away from her.
They used to say that Kirigakure was infamous for their techniques of making people talk. She believed it. Now she'd attest to it. With Mist under new management and their old moniker 'Bloody Mist' dead, she would now claim that Grass uses powerful techniques to get what they want.
Pain. Pain was their answer. And she endured so much of it. So many scars, internal and external, she would say now they probably rivaled Ibiki's. They cut her open, many times. Stretched her limbs until she couldn't feel them anymore. Playing with her mind, making her think and feel things that she shouldn't normally feel, making her think she was back at home with her teammates or sparring with Kakashi. Making her see alternate worlds where she was hated and loathed by all. Making her feel at the end of each day 'Why the hell won't they kill me?' She wanted to die, and she wouldn't deny it. Ever.
Young children believed that nightmares were monsters and creepy little things that hid under their beds and in their closets. She saw them in the faces of Grass ninja.
So she refused to sleep. A self-induced insomniac…something much like Gaara. He didn't sleep because he was afraid the Shukaku would awaken in his dormant state and go on a rampage. She feared that if she closed her eyes, she would relive each and every nightmare like it was reality. The nightmares that were reality... that was everything she lived through those three months in captivity. And when that happened, she would lose that last little shred of sanity she was clinging to.
She wiped away at the tears that fell as she leaned on her favorite cherry blossom tree. Wrapping her arms around herself, she thought about times like these when she wished the world would cry with her. Share her pain and anguish. Throw ugly tantrums with thunder, lightning, and awful hurricanes. She wished she could do so. But the fear of snapping was far greater than the release that yelling would provide.
A heavy sigh escaped her lips as her arms fell to the earth. She dug her fingers into the dirt and tipped her head back to lie on the tree. Maybe it was wrong to feel better by touching dirt. But she supposed that was one thing that didn't change with her return.
A twig snapped and she turned her head. Three figures appeared from behind the foliage.
"Sakura," She took her fingers from the dirt and started to shake off her hands. When that was done, she rose and closed the steps between them.
"Hey," She smiled as a gentle breeze hit her face. She loved the Earth. She just hated Grass. She saw their eyes were narrowed. With her hands linked behind her, she started her walk back through the forest and heard them follow soon after.
"Sakura-chan, are you alright?" She frowned. She slipped up, is all.
"Why wouldn't I be?" It would be back to normal. Like it should've been when she returned. But she slipped up.
"You were upset about Anbu. You stormed out…so we came here." She shrugged while looking from side to side, examining how much the trees have grown since she was last here.
"Yeah. I mean, I get upset sometimes. You guys don't have to baby me. I won't hold a grudge or anything if you don't come looking." She heard a sigh and a giggle came from her lips. Back to normal.
"But you walked out. You never walk—"
"Damn. It seems time has gotten away from me. The meeting is at three so…Kakashi?" Turning to face him and grabbing his watch, she ignored the look he gave her. The look that told her that she was hiding something, and he wasn't going to let go. Either way, after checking the time, she looked up to him and smiled. The look didn't disappear.
"It's only ten. So…what do you guys want to do?" Naruto perked up.
"Ramen!"
"Hell no!"
"I'm hungry."
"We just had takeout."
"That was like two hours ago!"
"Where the hell does all your food go?"
"Well…I think most of it goes to my energy. And I'd say the rest would go to my unpredictability."
"I'm glad you didn't say intelligence." She watched as Sasuke walked off and Naruto scrambled to catch up with him. Kakashi soon fell in step with her. Sakura withheld a groan.
"What was your meeting about?" She let her eye twitch as a substitute for rolling them. He pulled out Icha Icha Tactics and then her eyes did roll.
"Just about mission stuff." He hummed.
"I didn't know they discussed missions with therapists." She frowned. That was the wrong thing to say. Trying to explain off a therapist session with an Anbu expert can go on the 'Things I've Tried' list.
"It was just about the unofficial one." He couldn't argue with that one; it was fool-proof.
"…I thought unofficial missions were archived by the Hokage. Hm. They must've changed things…" She huffed and stepped in front of him. Her arms were crossed over her chest.
"I hear your back has been killing you lately. They say I give the best massages." She wiggled her fingers in emphasis as green chakra highlighted their tips. She saw him raise both eyebrows and watched as they furrowed when he narrowed his eyes.
"Sakura, you can't blackmail me out of caring." Her lips pursed as she turned and continued to walk.
"Who says?" He sighed and followed after her.
"Sakura—"
"Kakashi, I'm the same as before. If you could stop worrying about me, I'd be able to get back to life." Her fingers brushed against the various leaves and bushes they passed. His hand roughly grabbed her shoulders and she jumped.
"Listen, Sakura. It's not as easy as you think to just move on." She frowned.
"Pot calling kettle black, huh Kakashi?"
"What?"
"Tell me your demons and I'll tell you mine." She growled. He was silent. "That's what I thought." She turned back around and continued to walk while her fingers went back to their linked position. Walking out of the clearing, they appeared at the gates.
"You bastard! Just 'cause you hide your fetish for rice balls doesn't mean that I can't profess my love for ramen." Sasuke's eyes visibly widened and a faint tint of red was on his cheeks.
"Shut the hell up, Naruto." He threatened. Sakura covered her mouth with her hand as she stifled a laugh. Sasuke…blushing? Unreal.
"Or what? You just don't want anyone to know you have secret stashes of rice balls everywhere! Even under your bed." Then Sakura couldn't hold it in anymore. Hand forgotten, the laugh escaped. Her. Walking over to where he stood, she clapped a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
"Are you serious? Rice balls? I mean, I knew you liked them, but…under your bed?" She said with a giggle coming out of her mouth every few seconds. He glared. "That's pretty unhealthy, Sasuke."
"No. His ramen addiction is unhealthy." He bit out. Sakura shook her head.
"It's okay, Sasuke. I believe you." A giggle. Another glare. "Anyways, what are we going to do until three?" Naruto lit up.
"Well, we can play…" He said with a glint in his eyes. Sakura smirked.
"I want the Kyuubi. My partner is totally slow."
"We're running at the same pace."
"I'm injured. That's not saying much." There was a chuckle on the other end.
"Yeah, how come I'm not on Sakura-chan's team? She called dibs." Naruto wondered. Sasuke pressed the button on his neck and replied.
"Kakashi called a rule." Sakura scoffed at that. "Plus, they've got a bet going. And you know not to get in between those." Sasuke said mockingly. There was never a game they could play anymore without a bit of competition between the two. He rolled his eyes as he heard a groan on the other end before he let go of the button.
"Sakura, explosive tag!" She tried to stop but she fell of the branch. Sasuke caught her hand and flipped her over his back.
"Thanks." They went back to the normal pace.
"No problem." Sakura held a button on her neck.
"Kakashi,"
"Hm?"
"If these explosives kill me, I'll haunt your ass." A chuckle.
"Yes, well, this is extreme tag." She scoffed.
"Extreme tag my a—"
"Like father like daughter." She rolled her eyes and let go of her microphone.
"Sasuke, report." She turned to him and saw his Sharingan eyes look around.
"They're pretty close; about 2 km behind us." She cursed under her breath. Letting her finger go back to the microphone she yelled into it.
"Naruto, using Sage Mode is called cheating!"
"Sakura-chan! Sasuke and Kakashi have the Sharingan, and you have that thing when you can measure time and distance and other stuff, and all I have is Sage Mode!" He whined.
"Naruto, the point of tag is to find the opposite team. If you already know where they are by other means, that's cheating!"
"Alright Haruno, it's off." A growl started low in her throat.
"Don't take that tone with me, Naruto. I know your lying. Use your instincts damn it! You're a ninja." And with that, she let go of her neck and sped off.
The game was the only thing to get her mind off things. Also a great way to pass the time. When Naruto suggested tag, Sakura was quick to select him for her team. Kakashi made up some fake rule detailing how their team would lose because she and Naruto worked together all their lives. So Sakura got Sasuke, and Kakashi got Naruto. A game of rock paper scissors was in order, and since Sakura won, much to Kakashi's chagrin, his team had to be it. It took about two hours of prep throughout Fire Country's forests with the help of dogs, frogs, and hawks.
Kakashi, being the self proclaimed genius he is, noted that Sakura would deny the simple tag that has to be given in order for her and Sasuke to lose. So, he ran home, got a few earpiece sets, and went to the Quartermaster to get this new type of technology. 'Laser Tag the ninja way' he insisted. So Kakashi couldn't resist. When he got back to the gates, he explained how to use them.
"He said that you sign your partners chest plate with your chakra. Foreign chakra will cause a loud sound to go off and a red light will show." He handed them their chest plates and watched as Naruto tried to put it under his shirt.
"No, you can't put it under the shirt. He said that there are still a few quirks to be fixed." Sakura narrowed her eyes.
"What type of quirks?"
"Well, it has to have a clear signal." She pursed her lips.
"So basically, it has to be seen by your opponents." Kakashi scratched his neck.
"Exactly."
"Why would you get it if there were so many problems?" She yelled annoyed.
"He said it was 'Laser Tag the ninja way'." Her eye twitched. He backed up.
"You mean he insisted. You're such a woman. If anyone insists something you're caught. Hook, line, and sinker." He pouted.
"Now that's not—"
"I wondered why you accepted gifts from that shady character in Tea so readily. I remember her saying 'I insist'."
"Well that's just the only—"
"And when we were in Hoshi, you stepped in for that sick dancer when his partner insisted you looked just like him."
"Okay, good point. But there aren't any—"
"Just shut-up so we can get on with the game." She said with a roll of her eyes. Unzipping her Haruno shirt, she picked up the chest plate. She secured tightly around her chest as she watched Naruto take off his flak jacket and lift his shirt over his head.
"Try not to bask in my abs, Haruno." She gave him a playful punch in said abs as he rubbed the sore spot.
"You do know that you don't have to take off your shirt, right?" He gave her a thumbs up and grinned.
"If I'm lucky, you'll get distracted by this awesome body of mines." She snorted.
"Fat chance." He pouted and started to put his mesh shirt back on.
"Kakashi…your flak jacket…"
"Oh right." He unzipped his flak jacket and secured his chest plate around his middle. Sakura popped her neck.
"Who's it?" Kakashi pondered for a second.
"Rock, paper, scissors?"
"You know it." Both fists were out and Sakura focused on Kakashi's fists.
"Ready?" She nodded.
"Rock! Paper! Scissors—damn it." Sakura's fingers made a 'V' as Kakashi groaned. He shot her a glare, she stuck out her tongue. Her fingers linked behind her back.
"Alright, let's get this show on the road. I want Naruto." Kakashi immediately shook his head.
"That's not fair." Her hands went to her hips.
"How so?" He scratched the back of his head.
"You and Naruto have worked together all your lives. That's an advantage and it's unfair." She clucked her tongue.
"That's so bogus, Kakashi. But I'll give you an A for the effort of making that up on the spot. Me and Sasuke aren't going to get caught anyways. Two hours isn't a long time."
"Ah, but Sakura. You wouldn't want to eat your words, would you?" Her eyes narrowed as his hands went to his pockets.
"Bet?"
"Of course."
"Stakes?"
"Loser…Loser has to give winner a massage."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. My back joints have been killing me and I'm no medic, so…" She huffed and started to stretch.
"Alright then. This'll be a...rivalry, Cap." She mock saluted him as she grabbed Sasuke's arm in a death grip. She reached into her pouch.
"What're you…" Sasuke started.
"Let's get this thing started. Ready…set…Go!" Taking Sasuke's arm, he was flung into the air as her hand flew out of her pocket and an explosion of black smoke engulfed the remaining partakers.
So she cheated a bit at the start. So what? It was 'Laser Tag the ninja way', so they had to expect that. About an hour into the game, she almost got caught up in three explosions and did get caught in seven smoke bombs. Sasuke had his foot in a snare about twice and was set up in a rope trap once.
"How are we doing?" She checked the watch attached to her wrist.
"Just ten minutes left. Are they close?" Sasuke took a full scan around him for any chakra signatures.
"I can't see them." She bit her lip. They're either setting a trap, or they got caught in the one Sasuke set about a kilometer back.
"Clones, Sasuke. Get as far as you can, I'll go the opposite direction."
"If we get too far, they'll disperse Sakura." She shook her head.
"They're going to kick it up. It's the last few minutes. We have to distract them." He let out a sigh. "You'll be safe. Kakashi's going to go for me anyways, not you." She took these competitions very seriously. Anything to get her to win. Kakashi makes out his gloating to be something similar to winning a war.
They paused on a branch as Sakura made a clone of herself. Sasuke did the same. Nodding to each other, they went in opposite directions with their respective clones.
"I need a report." He looked around and shook his head. She checked her watch. Just five minutes to go.
When she heard a 'pop' beside her, she knew Sasuke was far enough. But that also meant that her clone was gone too. She didn't have a Sharingan, and she wasn't a sage. How she was going to check how far they were from them was beyond her.
"Damn it…" She jumped down to the forest floor when she recognized the path she was on. She was dangerously close to Fire Country's border. Crossing the border meant getting into Grass, and she refused. Leaning against a tree, she got the canteen that was attached to her hip and took a swig of its water. When she was refreshed, she reattached it to her hip and took a step in the opposite direction, looking to get farther away from the border.
Then her foot caught on something. It was the split second realization that had her eyes widening. Two explosive tags appeared out of nowhere. Using her instincts, she leapt for the nearest tree, but then the explosion went off.
Flying some, fifty feet she would assume, really hurt. She's had experience with two explosive tags before, but this time, no one was here to take the brunt of it. She tried her best not to land on her back and ended up on her rear. At first, she figured that was the best. But now, she knew, that even a collapsed lung would feel better than the pain that was now resonating through her lower body.
"Ouch…" It wasn't that bad…it was just so damn hurtful. It felt like a headache. A sharp type of pulsing feeling in her pelvis made it hard to breath.
Now lying on her back, she let a shaking hand fall to her stomach. Soon, a green glow emanated from her hands and left a warm feeling in her body. Nothing was fractured or broken, it just hurt. Using what chakra she could for the moment, she numbed the pain. She let her head fall to the ground. Her breathing was ragged and with each one, a heavy rise and fall of her chest accompanied it.
Remembering what they were playing, her hand went to her eyes as she checked her wristwatch. Then she smiled.
"Thirty…seconds…you stupid…man." She felt a laugh coming on as static filled her ears.
"You wouldn't want to eat your words, Sakura." Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her neck.
"What?" Looking around her, she shot up and checked her wristwatch. Ten seconds. He can't possibly…Then there was a whoosh of air on her face and again, her eyes went wide as she felt a flash of pain throughout her chest.
"Tag, you're it." Her stunned expression looked much like a deer caught in headlights. Half of her expression was due to the fact that she lost with seven seconds to go. She would deny it later, but now, she knew the other half was because Kakashi was just so...damn…close.
"I…" He was hanging upside down on a tree limb. He was so close, she could feel his breath fan across her face. His eyes were creased and she knew he was smiling because she could see the pull of his muscles through his mask.
She should've backed up a minute ago. Maybe even a second ago when her eyes trailed to his mouth. He never did explain that kiss. And, God was it great. She felt her fingers twitch as she started to raise them from their position; dug in the grass. That feeling that was in the pit of her belly was unwelcomed as her hands were level to her lap. Now, her eyes had relaxed and his had open to stare at hers.
Forget the mask. She thought as her fingers dropped to the ground. Leaning her face forward, She watched through hooded eyes as his pair started to close and—
"Sakura!"
"Ouch!"
"Oww…"
"You idiot! Why would you—!"
"It was an accident!"
"Ninja are always on alert!"
"I got surprised."
"You're not supposed to get surprised! You're the Copy Ninja damn it!"
"You guys…"
"What!" They said in unison. Naruto cowered.
"Sorry…continue." He put his hands up in surrender as Sakura turned back to Kakashi before sighing deeply and placing a healing on hand on her forehead, the other on his.
"No, I'm sorry Naruto. I shouldn't have snapped at you. If this man hadn't head butted me—"
"Accident—"
"Shut-up. Anyways, what happened to your shirt?" He looked down at the tattered mess that was his mesh lining. He chuckled nervously and started to scratch the back of his head.
"You see, I uh…got caught in your trap…back there." Her eyes widened.
"Naruto it was in plain view! How did you…" Not plain view exactly…just something a ninja should've spotted.
"Well it seems there was another one that was hidden. It kind of…blew me up—No, Sakura it's not bad. Sit back down." Despite his refusal, she continued the walk over to his person. The green glow lit the tips of her fingers as she started to poke and prod his body. When he didn't flinch at any of her intrusions, she let a bit of her chakra seep into his body. Frowning when she found that he was right, she smacked him on the arm.
"Ouch..."
"Next time, use your brains. Or your instincts. You're a ninja for crying out loud!" She started on her walk back to her seat on the ground.
"Hey, you're not doing so hot either, Haruno." He said accusingly. She turned a head to acknowledge him.
"You're not the only one who got blown up, Uzumaki." He rushed to her side.
"Oh that trap near the border? Kakashi set that one. Let me at least carry you back." Her eye twitched as her head turned sharply to his position. Lying against the bark with the book covering his face, it lowered for a second as he gave them an eye crease and a wave.
"You stupid man! That explosion almost broke me! Did you have to put two? Are you trying to—"
"What the hell is this?" She heard a voice before she saw a face. Sasuke appeared from the foliage with a burn in the middle of his chest and his shirt in his hand looking pissed.
"Uh…I don't…actually know, Sasuke. What is it?" Stopping her previous rant, she turned her full attention to Sasuke pointing at his chest. Walking over, she placed a hand over his chest.
"You're hot." He smirked. She smacked his burn. He winced. "You baboon. I mean your chest. It's burning." His pissed look returned.
"Yeah, well? I'm halfway across fire country when I hear this explosion. Thinking Naruto got caught in the trap—"
"Hey!"
"—I kept going. Then I feel this searing pain in my chest. I take off the stupid breast plate—"
"Chest plate." Kakashi corrected.
"—I don't care. I take it off and see this big burn in the middle of my chest." Examining the burn, her brow furrowed.
"I felt that too. Kakashi tagged me and there was a sharp pain."
"Yeah…that was probably one of the quirks. Chakra burns." Sakura clicked her tongue.
"I can't heal this, Sasuke." When his eyes narrowed, she went on. "Limited knowledge in chakra burns blah, blah, blah. The truth is, I don't have enough chakra to go around. You can wait until I get enough for the both of us, or you can let the injured go first." How his eyes narrowed further, she would never know. "Or, you can let me treat it later with some burn cream and bandages." He sighed.
"Why not now?" A thin, pink eyebrow was raised at him as she lifted her hand to show him her watch.
"We have twenty minutes to get to that meeting, and we're on the edge of Fire Country. You do the math." She saw Kakashi shrug his shoulders.
"Eh, no use in rushing." She shot a glare at him.
"It's those types of attitudes that make people hate you, Kakashi." She said matter-of-factly.
"It's not attractive to talk about yourself like that, Sakura." A pointed look, then his porn appeared from nowhere. She rolled her eyes.
"TonTon said it's important that we're on time." She beckoned to Naruto. He came over and lowered himself to lift her on his back. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
"We're not going to be on time, no matter what we do." He saw the glint in her eyes and smirked.
"You wanna bet?" Kakashi snapped his book shut.
"Of course." Sasuke rolled his eyes and Naruto groaned.
"This is unhealthy." They ignored him.
"If I get to Shishou's office faster than you on Naruto's back, I win." Standing up, he stuffed his hands in his pockets.
"Doesn't matter, easy win. Stakes?"
"Previous bet gets cancelled out." He chuckled.
"If I win, you make me dinner, and give me my massage." She rolled her eyes.
"Alright. The bet is sealed, right?" Kakashi cocked his head.
"Yes…" She gave him a wicked smile as she was set on her feet.
"You know what to do."
"Right!" Kakashi's eyes widened.
"T-that's cheating. He can't be in tailed beast mode!" He picked her back up.
"You said the bet's sealed, Kaka-sensei." She giggled. "Ready, set, go!" Despite himself, he followed her, but all he saw was a yellow flash. Sasuke appearing beside him, he sighed.
"I would've won," He muttered. "But she cheated by using Naruto." Sasuke offered him a consoling look.
"Been there, done that."
"Ugh! You're such an idiot, Naruto." He pouted as she rolled her eyes.
"Sakura-chan, my foot got stuck!" He whined.
"You were supposed to be holding onto me! I fell flat on my face, you bastard!"
"Oi, Sakura-chan. Words are hurtful." She smacked him in the back of his head.
"Shut-up." She said amused as they walked up the steps of the Hokage Tower.
"When do you think they'll get here?" She tapped her chin in thought as he set her down before the door to the office.
"Oh, I don't know. Kakashi's going to want to exert all his chakra to prove a point. I'd say, three minutes from now."
"But it normally takes about two hours to get to the border, and that's if you're pushing it." She patted his head.
"Well, that's Kakashi." She closed her eyes and gave him an ear to ear grin and she pushed through the doors of her Shishou's office. Winning was sweet. She had a burn to take care of and she'd be damned if she had to massage him.
"Yeah, that is Kakashi." Naruto nudged her and she frowned.
"Naruto, I just said that. Shut-up so I can enjoy this moment." He grabbed her by the arm.
"No, Sakura. I mean, open your eyes, it's Kakashi." She stilled as her eyes shot open. Naruto's hand didn't move. Kakashi turned around and gave her an eye crease. Her back tensed and Naruto started to shake her. She growled.
"How the hell…"
"Well, a magician never reveals his secrets." Her eye twitched.
"You're a ninja, you stupid man." She grumbled, her hands balling into fists.
"Alright, Sakura. You're already late." She started to move from the door, but not before shaking Naruto off. When she got beside Kakashi, she elbowed him in the ribs. "Just a recap. Grass sent over a Peace Treaty detailing the conditions of this cease-fire." Taking a scroll from the far corner of her desk, she tossed it to Kakashi.
"Hm," Sakura tried to get on her tippy toes to see the scroll, but it looked as though Kakashi lifted it higher.
"Kakashi, move it down." She whispered harshly. She heard a light chuckle.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Can you not see?" Never again. Never again will she lose a bet to him. Another elbow in the ribs, but he seemed unaffected.
"Come on, I need to read it." She whined. He turned to her.
"I was being a jerk, here." He put the scroll within her reach only to pull it away again when her hand sought for it.
"You bastard! Let me see!" She jumped for the scroll, only for Kakashi to hold it high over his head.
"You guys are acting childish." Naruto whispered. She shot him a look before trying to jump again. Seriously, he's a jerk.
"Stop tickling me, hentai-sensei!" Each time her hand went up, his free one tickled her armpits. She giggled a bit before narrowing her eyes. He was chuckling with his free arm in the air with the scroll secured in his hand.
"When you—For Kami's sake would you two stop!" The giggle died in her throat and turned to her Shishou with a blush painted on her cheeks. Kakashi's expression was more or less the same. She had one arm up for the scroll, the other over her belly. Kakashi had one hand in her armpit, the other arm far away for her reaching one. Slowly retracting their body parts, he handed Sakura the scroll. She issued a quiet 'Thank-you' to which he replied 'No problem'.
Her eyes started to scan through the paper and she stiffened.
"Shishou, this mission is to Grass…why?" Kakashi noticed her tensed back and looked up at her changed expression.
"If you were listening, you would know that the Peace Treaty specifically asked for you, Sakura, to deliver their ninja to the Kannabi Bridge." Kakashi stiffened. He hasn't been there since…his first Jonin mission… "But since your teammates have proven they'll go to all lengths to protect you, I'll let your whole squad go. Tenzou, Neji, Shikamaru, and Ino. You four will be back up. I'm sure you'll need it because it seems Squad 7 always likes to get themselves in trouble." Naruto and Kakashi chuckled nervously.
"This is an exchange. They give you the Peace Treaty, you give them Nao and Katsumi back. It should be clean, and there should be no problems. But knowing you four, I know someone's going to mess up. It's in three days. You leave Thursday morning, get there by Friday afternoon. Pack light, but Grass is near Wind. It's going to be freezing at night. Dismissed." The ninja in the room started to file out. Kakashi was probably a foot out of the door when she spoke.
"Not you four, come back here." Sighing(because he was really looking forward to that massage and dinner), he walked back into the room.
"What's the big idea, baa-chan?" Naruto, currently sporting a bored look on his face; hands behind his head, eyes closed. But his mouth was turning into a frown.
"Don't call me that Naruto." She threatened.
"Sorry, baa-chan." Sighing, Tsunade rubbed two fingers into her temples.
"Anyway. Sakura, I know I said a month, but we really need their alliance. We don't want them against us, you see, they have excellent diplomacy. They'll persuade the other small countries like Fang and Claw to join them." Sakura nodded.
"It's okay, Shishou. I was kind of getting tired of sitting at home with them, anyways." Kakashi frowned, she stuck out her tongue.
"How did the Therapy session go?" Her eyes widened as Kakashi's narrowed.
"What Therapy session, Shishou?" She bit out. If she didn't get the hint from her forced tone, then the wink should do it.
"The…Oh. I mean, the Therapy you were administering to…the, uh—"
"The patient…I had…a few years ago. Remember?" Sasuke and Naruto were looking at them weirdly while Kakashi's eyes were still narrowed.
"Yes, I remember. I'll cancel them for the next few weeks, for your mission, and another assignment I going to send you four on." Naruto groaned.
"Another? We're not even getting paid for this!" Tsunade smiled sweetly.
"This one's a vacation, Naruto." He lit up, Sakura's eyes narrowed.
"What type of vacation, Shishou?"
"Well…"
"It's not a vacation…is it?" Sakura crossed her arms as Tsunade sighed.
"No. But it's like one. It's in the Hidden Hot Springs Village—"
"Is that really the name?"
"Yes. The—"
"Naruto, that's the Village Hidan came from." Sakura stated.
"Comes from, Sakura." Kakashi corrected.
"What?" Sakura said as Tsunade covered her face with her hands.
"Oh my Kami." Kakashi went on.
"Comes from, he's not dead yet."
"He might as well be!"
"But he's not, he's immortal."
"Immortal my a—"
"Okay! You are going to the Land of Hot Water. Hidden Hot Springs Village, formally a ninja Village called Yugakure. His daughter, Mei, is supposed to be married in a month. The Daimyo doesn't approve of her groom. He has…different tastes. Anyways, he wants you to appear very high collared. Expensive dresses, high heeled shoes, that type of stuff."
"So…a poser." Sakura narrowed her eyes.
"Exactly. But he'll give you everything you need. You're supposed to lure Yuuki, the groom, away from her. Make sure he doesn't go back. You three, he'll give you suits. Very expensive ones. Listen, this is not a ninja mission. You'll get the rest of your debrief when you come back from your current assignment." Playing with the hem of her shirt, Sakura nodded.
"Sounds pretty fun."
"Sakura, you'll need a check-up." Sakura looked up.
"I'll have Ino give me one." Tsunade nodded.
"Dismissed." Sakura high-tailed it out of there as fast as she could power walk.
"Ah, ah, ah, Haruno. You owe me dinner and a movie." She rolled her eyes.
"Massage." He shrugged and they continued to walk.
"Either way. I like Miso soup and eggplant." She smiled at him sweetly.
"Nah, I think I'll be making Tonkatsu." Naruto's eyes opened and he ran to catch up with Sakura.
"Really? Can you put mine in miso ramen?" Well, she was feeling expendable today. Well, not for him.
"Sure Naruto. I'll even throw in a side of rice balls for Sasuke." She saw him glare and giggled.
"Sakura, I don't really like fried foods." Trying to remind her of his existence, he patted her on the shoulder.
"Oh yeah…you. Sure, I'll make your miso soup with eggplant. But there is going to be Tonkatsu, and you're going to eat it. Then, you get your massage." He sighed. He couldn't really argue with an offer like that.
"Sakura-chan, I hate suits. They're always choking me with their ties and I don't even know how to tie them!" He shuddered. She patted his shoulder.
"How about this. We'll go pick up some suits, I'll teach you how to tie a tie, and I'll wear a fancy dress. We'll have dinner like the high-collars and we'll be like civilians, kay?" She saw a frown on his face.
"Okay…" He grumbled.
"To the tailors!" She shouted. This was going to be fun.
"Are you guys serious?" She stepped in front of the TV, and their mouths went dry.
"Uh…"
"What?" She crossed her arms and he almost fainted. A dark blue dress with a plunging neckline. Material that clung in the right places with spaghetti straps tied around her neck. The dress stopped mid-thigh with her back open. Her hair was in that same braid since the Hospital, and she put on a bit of lipstick.
"Sakura-chan, you look," Naruto gulped, "Nice." She smiled brightly at him.
"Thank-you, Naruto. Sasuke, Kakashi, do you have anything to say?" Sasuke was blinking rapidly and Kakashi had his hands tightly grasping his knees. She saw Naruto shove his fist in his mouth every few seconds.
"You look beautiful, Sakura."
"Yeah," Sasuke agreed. She rolled her eyes.
"I better. It took me a while to find these shoes. It's time for dinner, anyways." She walked around to the kitchen and started to set the table. "Are you coming?" Remembering themselves, they hurriedly got up and sat themselves at her kitchen table.
Naruto looked down into the plate before him and his mouth started to water.
"Haruno…this looks awesome!" She smiled as she went to her cupboard to get the wine and the glasses. Pouring them each a cup, she took her seat beside Naruto.
"Kakashi sit up. Sasuke get your face out of your hands, and Naruto please, get your elbows off the table." Doing what she said with a groan, she poked her chest out and put her hands together to say Grace. "Alright, eat up. I don't really care how; dressing up was a real hassle. Going the whole nine yards would be murder."
Naruto was the first to dig in. She was picking at her Tonkatsu with lackluster. She wasn't really hungry. She settled on taking her wine glass in her hand, and took a sip. All the while, Kakashi was looking at her with narrowed eyes.
"What?"
"Why aren't you eating?" She cut a miniscule slice of her pork cutlet and stuck it into her mouth. She chewed it for a second, then swallowed it. Offering him a bright smile, she went back to her glass of wine.
"I ate." She noticed the drop of his shoulders meaning that he sighed. She rolled her eyes. It was none of his concern whether she ate or not. "Kakashi, stop acting like my mother." He rolled his eyes and she saw him lift a spoon to his mouth, then return it to the plate.
"Sakura-chan look! Sasuke already finished his rice balls!" She giggled, ignoring the look Kakashi was giving her.
"Shut-up, loser." Either way, he cut himself a slice of the pork and stuck it into his mouth.
"Do you like it?" She asked. He nodded.
"It's pretty good." She glared.
"Don't push it. Naruto pass me that wine bottle." She poured herself another glass, forgetting her Tonkatsu. Sasuke and Naruto were oblivious. Now if she could just get Kakashi to stop worrying about her.
"So Haruno," Naruto nudged her in the ribs. "You haven't seen Nao for a while." Raising his eyebrows twice at her, she smacked his arm away.
"And?" He started to giggle mischievously.
"Are you guys gonna like, lock faces?" Kakashi choked. She looked at him like he was stupid.
"No, Naruto. I don't like Nao. I'm attracted to him, yes. But that doesn't mean I'll act on my attraction." The table was intently listening to the conversation now. Hey, as long as Kakashi's thoughts were focused elsewhere, she was okay.
"But you kissed him that first time, and you've never even met him before!" She sighed and took another sip of wine.
"He kissed me. I just…kissed back—Anyways! The last time I'll see him is in a few days. I'm not looking to get into any serious relationships." Naruto gave her a sympathizing look.
"Because of the Teme, right? I know, he can be a bastard—"
"Oh! Look at the time. I've got to go." She jumped from the table and rushed to her closet. She grabbed a jacket and started to put it on.
"Where are you going?" Kakashi this time. His bowl was empty, he was now sipping his wine.
"My check-up. Ino's house."
"Do you need me to walk you there? It's pretty late." She walked back over to the table and gulped down the last of her wine.
"Someone once told me that I'm a Kunoichi. I'm perfectly capable of walking myself places without getting hurt." He frowned.
"It would be the nice thing to do." He said reliving their conversation.
"I'll be back in like thirty minutes. Don't worry. Naruto, Sasuke, you two are on dish duty." A groan.
"We always get stuck with dish duty." Sasuke scowled. She took her keys from the hook and was walking to the door.
"Bye!" And It was shut, just like that. Maybe he was wrong to worry. She could take care of herself, he knew. But she was just…different since she came back. She couldn't just say she was fine. He's been there before, and he'd be damned if she dealt with it like he did.
"Thirty minutes."
Because he's still suffering from the repercussions.
"Thanks for doing this, Ino. You're the only one I trust not to turn me in." Sakura shrugged out of her jacket and kicked off her shoes. Plopping down on the couch, she tipped her head back. "Nice couch," She whispered.
"You want wine, Forehead?" She groaned.
"No, no. Just tea. I had enough wine as is tonight." Ino came from her kitchen whistled.
"Sakura! Why do you look like that? I'm totally under dressed!" Sakura scoffed. A skimpy little night dress like that could not be classified as underdressed. Did she mention it was see through?
"We're going on a mission to Yugakure—"
"You mean that Hot Springs Village?"
"Yeah, that one. And we have to be all snotty and rich. I was trying to get them into suits for a nice dinner, but it totally crashed. All I did was show them how to tie their ties and what to do at a table. Besides that, they ate like Pigs. Well…Naruto did." Ino rolled her eyes.
"Stop it Sakura, that's an insult to pigs everywhere." Sakura started to laugh before taking a sip of her tea. "How'd you get away from them?"
"You're giving me a "check-up". Kakashi tried to walk me, but I had to refuse." Ino's eyes had a sparkle in them that Sakura decided she didn't like.
"Kakashi?"
Sakura ran.
"Tell me your secrets!" Ino chased after her. Running through the kitchen and around the couch, throwing pillows when she could, it was pretty hard. She stopped at the couch when she saw she was nowhere in sight.
"Pig, you've gotten fast," She said, slightly out of breath. She found that was her mistake. She was soon tackled to the ground from behind with her hands pinned down and Ino sitting atop her.
"I know. Now tell me! I promise my lips are sealed." Sakura narrowed her eyes.
"I really don't believe you."
"Have I ever lied when it mattered?"
"No…"
"So tell me." Huffing a sigh, she closed her eyes.
"I'm going to forgive Sasuke."
"That's not what we're—Wait what? Why?"
"'Cause, Ino. I don't like holding that grudge with him. I'm sure he had a good reason for—"
"Don't even say it." Another sigh.
"Listen, Pig. When I get old, it's going to be Sasuke and Naruto sitting on my porch with me. You're going to be living with your team and we'll visit each other a lot. I lost him once, and I don't want to lose him this time because of my petty feelings. We'll all be together forever and I don't want that to change." Ino narrowed her eyes.
"Kakashi." She groaned again.
"Pig—"
"Where's Kakashi going to be?" Sakura bit her lip. She was right.
"Kakashi's going to be there too…" She whispered.
"What aren't you telling me, Forehead?" Turning her head, she focused on her forgotten mug.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Can you pass me my tea?" Pinning her hands back down Ino glared.
"Spit it, Billboard Brow!" Sakura frowned.
"I thought you said you wouldn't use that—"
"Spit it!"
"No Pig." She pouted.
"But Sakura."
"There's nothing happening."
"You guys spend so much time together. Something happened."
"After Anbu, we became really good friends."
"Have you—" Sakura's eyes widened.
"No! Pig, that's just nasty." Ino rolled her eyes.
"So you're telling me…you guys did nothing. Tell me you did nothing at all and we'll get on with this." Sakura groaned. "I knew it! What'd you do?" She leaned forward.
"God, Pig. I can see your boobs! Put those away." Leaning further, Sakura squirmed.
"Tell me!"
"Never!" Breasts dangling right above her face, Sakura felt her resolve slipping.
"Tell me."
"Okay! Damn it, just get those things away from me!" She sighed. "Before that battle that I got captured, I was scared. I was crying, and, he…uh, he ki—"
"He kissed you? OH MY GOD. Forehead! Do you know how sc—"
"Scandalous? Yes I know. It was heaven though, Pig. Then just today. We were playing tag and he was it. He was upside down on the tree and we were really close and then—"
"He kissed you again? Oh my—"
"Stop interrupting me! No, he didn't kiss me. Naruto came and he…head butted me. On accident though." Ino put her hands on her hips.
"Well, damn Forehead. I didn't think you could land him. Did you guys…" Her eyes widened.
"No! Pig. I'm still a virgin. And plus, I don't even like him. He's hot, yeah. Really defined features. No scars at all. But he's not…Gorgeous. He has a young face…though."
"You saw his face?"
"In captivity, yes. But remember. No feelings. He's not a relationship type of guy anyways." Ino sighed.
"Gray and Pink do look cute together." Sakura groaned.
"Those colors clash. Now could you get off of me? That tackle really hurt…" When she was up, she extended a hand to Sakura. Ino went to her closet and Sakura went to the bathroom. When Ino returned, Sakura was in her underwear.
"Nice panties. You should let me borrow them sometime."
"Make sure you wash it before you give it back." Ino nodded.
"When was the last time you showered?" She started to dig through her medicine cabinet.
"I guess when I was comatose, they bathed me…I don't know." Ino pulled out chakra restrainers.
"I'm going to make this as painless as possible, Forehead." Sakura frowned. Taking off the rest of her clothes, she stepped into the tub as Ino turned on the water. She chained the chakra restraints to the floor and snapped Sakura's wrists in them.
"Why do you have these anyway?" She knew Ino was pretty kinky, but how do you use chakra in…She pushed the thought out of her mind.
"I have house calls sometimes." Ino still did work at the Hospital. When days like those just got too much to bear, Sakura just decided that she wanted to be a field medic. She doesn't know how Ino still puts up with it.
When the water got to her face, Ino turned it off.
"If it gets too painful, tell me Sakura. Don't try to take it." She nodded and clenched her teeth as Ino started to pull on her hair to undo the braid.
She was very tender headed now, which meant the slightest touch made her flinch. Now she knew that the chakra restraints were a good idea. If Ino had to touch her scalp, she didn't know what she would do.
"Are you okay so far?" She rubbed a soapy washcloth across her face. She took a small bucket of water and rinsed it. She started to lather across her body.
"Yeah. Can you save my hair for last…please?"
"Sure. Keep your thoughts on other things, Sakura." She gave her a small nod in return and closed her eyes.
Other thoughts. She could do that. The mission, for example. She just knew it was going to be a complete and utter bust. She would prefer not to go, if she could help it. But she couldn't; she was specifically asked for.
Being insane really wasn't her intention. She didn't think anyone who was insane, meant to be. She believed now that insanity came with tragic events that occurred in one's life. Nagato, or Pein for example. His parents were killed on accident before him, by the Leaf's ninja. He awakened his Rinnegan and killed them in return. Yes, it was painful, but he didn't go insane from it.
Then, he found his soon-to-be teammates, Konan and Yahiko. They worked with Jiraiya for a bit, then when he left, created the original Akatsuki. This organization was intended for good, not war. When they were lured into a trap by Hanzo, he had to choose whether to kill Yahiko or Konan.
That's like asking Sakura to kill Naruto or Sasuke. It wasn't plausible.
But when Yahiko killed himself on the kunai he was holding, anyone could say that's when he snapped. Yahiko's dream became his. And he was going to achieve it through ultimate pain. Now Sakura, though feeling a bit under the water these days, was almost positive that she wasn't going to try to become the God of the World.
It was just that when she envisions slitting their throats, the utmost pleasure fills her body. That's why she didn't want to go on the mission. Because if she saw them, she didn't know what she would do.
"Alright Sakura. You're hair is basically hanging by the follicle. I'm going to stimulate them and heal your scalp. When I count to three, dip your hair under the water." Sakura exhaled a breath and nodded. "1…2…3." Like ripping off a Band-Aid, she quickly dunked her hair. Straining against her bonds when Ino's hands went to her scalp, she started to breathe through her nose sharply.
Other thoughts. Yugakure. Hot Springs, relaxation, expensive dresses, Hot Springs...She really couldn't take this anymore. As images started to flood her mind, she snapped.
"Ugh! My God, I want to kill them so bad Ino! So bad. My hands soaked with their blood will feel so good. Ino, damn it! I'm going to kill them! If I see them, I'll kill them! I'll slaughter their families and leave the children to watch. I'll make the children watch. God, do you know what they did to me? Do you know what they did to me, Ino!" Everything was lost in her at that point. When she felt the chakra enter her head, she said everything she felt inside. She said everything she felt when they were burning her brains to hell in captivity.
"Sakura. I'm not going to hurt you." Sakura started to wrestle with her restraints, water splashing everywhere. She had to put up with it. She had to get over it.
"Ino, they made me watch my mother die. Over and over and over again. It hurt, so much. I had to watch all of you die! They twisted my memories into sick, wicked, nightmares. I wanted to die. Every day I asked Kami, why won't I die?" She started to laugh. "When I kill them, I'll make sure they'll regret taking me captive." What scared Ino was the fact that she said when. She was almost done, though.
"Hang on a little bit longer Sakura." A worried look was cast her way as the tears started to flow out of her eyes. Most of the water in the tub was on the floor, but she didn't stop thrashing.
"Why didn't you come sooner? Why didn't you come when I asked for you! Why couldn't you guys save me from that hell hole when I was still sane! It's gone now, Ino! It's all gone! Is that what you wanted? I felt pain like no other! I'll never truly feel anything until they're all dead!" She took her hands from under the water and placed it on her chest. She wanted to calm her heartbeat, it was beating erratically fast. Sakura started to breathe slower but the tears didn't stop.
She didn't know if it was safe yet, but she took her risks. She took of the restraints on her wrists, and helped Sakura into a towel. Nothing was said as she led her to the bedroom and let her borrow some clothes. Ino silently waited by the door, letting everything that she said sink in.
It was a few minutes later that she walked in. Sakura was in a tank top and a pair of her shorts. She styled her hair in a ponytail and let her bangs fall over her eyebrows with a few strands framing her face. Walking back out of the room for a second, she brought back in an IV drip.
"What are you doing?" She asked as she sat on the bed. Carefully injecting the needle in her arm, she put some tape around it.
"I'm letting you sleep. You deserve it." Sakura's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head.
"I can't Ino, you know I can't." There was a faint smile that appeared on Ino's face.
"I've been doing some research. If I put the right amount of morphine in with genjutsu, you'll sleep for eight hours." Sakura smiled back.
"I love you, Pig."
"I know." Sakura got herself into a comfortable position on the king sized bed. Making sure the IV drip would rip out of her skin, she laid on her back. "Sakura?" Ino got into the bed beside her.
"Yes?" The effects of the morphine already working its way through her system, Ino took this time to cast her genjutsu. She had exactly ten seconds before Sakura lost consciousness.
"What you said…do you mean it?" Her eyes fought to stay open, but she soon gave in. Four seconds left.
"It's what I feel…Ino…" She wouldn't let Sakura shoulder the burden alone, but Sakura would make sure it was only hers. For all of this to be going on inside of her, and for her to stay that strong on the outside, Sakura really was selfless.
Pain, she said. She felt so much of it. And yet it was hurting Ino all the same to watch her go through it alone.
"Kakashi, you've been on the same page for an hour." Sighing, he snapped his book shut and placed it on the table.
"She said she'd be back in thirty minutes. It's been two hours." Naruto turned his attention from the movie to look at him.
"She's probably just going to spend the night at Ino's…it's no biggie." Finally turning his attention to the TV, he felt he should stop worrying. It was a pretty good movie, and she can take care of herself.
Sakura was a genius at time. Knowing her, she would calculate how long a normal check-up would take, then add Ino into the equation.
Pushing it would do him no good. But still…Why'd she lie to him?
Finished with Chpt. 9! Thanks for all the support. Review...I would appreciate it!
-Keoo19